Chapter 212
Chapter 212
“So? What do you think, brother-in-law?”
Jin Mucong asked with utmost tension, looking like a new author presenting his manuscript to an editor for the first time.
“Once I’m at the Imperial Academy, I plan to spend my time writing. I’m going to make my mark with this *Journey to the West*. I’ll definitely make a name for myself there. Brother-in-law, you don’t mind if I use the pen name ‘The Scoffing Scholar of Langling,’ do you?”
“Fatty, you wrote this very well.”
Jin Mucong was overjoyed, hearing such praise for the first time.
“But this story isn’t suited for *Journey to the West*. Your writing style is more intense than I thought, and you draw out resentment quite fiercely. Your emotional descriptions are also rather overwhelming.”
Jin Mucong asked in surprise.
“Is… is that a bad thing?”
“No, it could actually be a good thing. That is, if your style were paired with a different story. I’ll write another book for you. I’ll recite the first sixty thousand characters, you just need to listen, no need to copy it down.”
“O-Okay…!”
Shen Lang began to read the book aloud.
“Fighting Power, third grade!”
Looking at the dazzling words on the testing monument, the young man remained expressionless. A self-deprecating smile touched the corners of his lips as he clenched his fists. He squeezed so tightly that his slightly sharp fingernails dug deep into his palm, bringing a piercing pain!>
That’s right. *Battle Through the Heavens* had made its debut in this world. Of course, this world only had internal energy and true qi, nothing like Battle Qi. Moreover, the martial arts of this world weren't as grand as those in the novel *Battle Through the Heavens*. But since this was still a world of martial arts, it would be easy for readers to relate to a novel with similar themes. Shen Lang read with clear enunciation and lightning speed, and Jin Mucong was completely captivated, lost in the story.
Especially when Nalan Yanran arrived to break off the engagement, Jin Mucong reacted more intensely than anyone, completely immersed in the tale. His blood boiled, and he clenched his fists, imagining himself as Xiao Yan, the one whose engagement was being annulled.
*So that’s where it came from,* he thought. *The saying brother-in-law always uses: ‘You never know how the tables will turn, so don’t you dare bully a poor young man.’*
After several long hours, Shen Lang finally finished reading the first sixty thousand characters of *Battle Through the Heavens*. Jin Mucong’s eyes shone with excitement, finding it utterly fascinating.
*My god! This story is so cool, so fun, so thrilling. Listening to it makes me want to cry. Why has heaven blessed me, Jin Mucong, with such an amazing story?*
In terms of literary merit, *Journey to the West* was undoubtedly superior. It was already considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of history, and its quality was hard to match. However, in terms of immersion and shocking developments, *Battle Through the Heavens* was no slouch.
For instance, *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* is more of a classic than *A Step into the Past*; they are hardly comparable. Yet, when one reads *A Step into the Past*, it feels like opening a door to a new world, a book so captivating it keeps you up at night, wondering how such an entertaining story could exist. At the time, one might have been even more engrossed in it than in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* or *The Return of the Condor Heroes*. That’s because *A Step into the Past* was far more direct in expressing various desires, making it an incredibly satisfying read. In that sense, *Battle Through the Heavens* was more fun and full of elements that could excite people than *Journey to the West*.
“Think carefully, brother-in-law. Are you really going to write *Battle Through the Heavens* at the Imperial Academy?”
“I have to. Even if I do nothing else in my life, I must write this book.”
“After you write it, the students at the Imperial Academy will read and enjoy it. But they might also curse you for writing such vulgar trash, look down on you for creating a work with no literary value, and even call you a disgrace to the academy.”
“But will I still get famous?”
“Oh, yes. You’ll definitely become very famous. In fact, all the young men under twenty at both the Imperial Academy and the National University will be completely hooked on your book. But it might be infamy. People will accuse you of writing a poisonous weed.” (A poisonous weed: a book that corrupts public morals. When Shen Lang wrote *Boundless Wind and Moon*, Zhu Wenhua gathered scholars to condemn him for it.)
“Hahahaha… That’s fine, as long as I get famous. Then I can find a better bride, and make friends, right?”
“Yes, but you’ll make friends with the poor students. The gifted scholars destined to pass the highest imperial exams won’t want to associate with you.”
“That’s great. I’m not a good student anyway. Brother-in-law, quickly write down the story outline and a brief character introduction for me. I’ll start planning on my way to the capital and begin writing as soon as I arrive at the Imperial Academy.”
This time, Shen Lang’s brush flew across the paper at high speed. Following the content extracted from his mind, he wrote down the main plot and character introductions for the million-character-long *Battle Through the Heavens*, which amounted to over twenty thousand characters. Receiving the pages from Shen Lang, Jin Mucong looked as if he had just obtained a peerless martial arts manual like the legendary Nine Yin Manual.
“Thank you for being so good to me, brother-in-law. Just you watch. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll definitely write it well and become a huge hit.”
Then, Jin Mucong asked sheepishly.
“Brother-in-law, when the book is released, do you think I could change the title to *Jin Ping Mei’s Battle Through the Heavens*?” (The subtitle of Shen Lang’s *Boundless Wind and Moon* had been *Jin Ping Mei’s Boundless Wind and Moon*. Jin Mucong wanted to ride the coattails of its popularity to promote his own book.)
A shiver ran down Shen Lang’s spine.
“What do you think?”
“Then how about *The Boundless Wind and Moon of Battle Through the Heavens*?”
“You… you’re not planning to put lewd scenes in *Battle Through the Heavens*, are you?”
Jin Mucong nodded vigorously.
“There are so many beautiful women; it would be a waste not to.”
“You can include them, but absolutely not too many. It would change the nature of the story.”
All night, Jin Mucong and Shen Lang discussed the book he was going to write. The prospect of writing became more and more exciting, and his fear of going to the capital gradually faded. Instead, he began to look forward to studying at the Imperial Academy.
*I, Jin Mucong, will definitely become a sensation throughout the capital. When that happens, will there still not be a single girl who likes me? Everyone knew brother-in-law wrote* Boundless Wind and Moon, *but this book will be the work of the great Master Jin Mucong.*
Jin Mucong dreamed of gaining immense prestige with a book he wrote himself, marrying a rich and beautiful woman, and reaching the pinnacle of his life. To him, this was a singular, beautiful dream, one from which he could not wake. Su Peipei came to tell Jin Mucong to go to bed, worried he would be exhausted for his journey the next day. But hearing Shen Lang and her son discussing with such enthusiasm from outside the room, she simply returned to her own room to finish packing for him.
*My dear Mucong is so close to Shen Lang.*
Before dawn the next day, mysterious guests arrived at the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. It was an old eunuch and a dozen or so warriors.
“Greetings to the Countess.”
The old eunuch, a confidant of Prince Ning Zheng, bowed to Su Peipei before presenting the Fifth Prince Ning Zheng’s formal letter and a personal, handwritten note.
“His Highness has sent me with these men to escort the young master. Once in the capital, he will stay at the Fifth Prince’s residence. His Highness will send men to protect the young master on his way to and from the Imperial Academy each day, so you need not worry, my lady.”
Hearing this, Su Peipei was deeply moved and overjoyed.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Please wait a moment. I will bring some local specialties to send to the capital.”
“Please, do not. His Highness would not be pleased.”
“They are not expensive things at all. You must accept them.”
Soon, Su Peipei brought out several large boxes of gifts. They contained silks and fine swords, but the majority were soaps, shampoos, perfumes, and face masks—all gifts for Ning Zheng’s wife. Shen Lang stepped forward and said.
“Elder, has His Highness the Fifth Prince been having a difficult time in the capital recently?”
He was exactly right. Some time ago, when the Count of Xuanwu's Estate was in dire straits, Su Peipei had run around everywhere but managed to borrow only a thousand gold coins, becoming the laughingstock of the nobility. At that time, the Fifth Prince Ning Zheng had extended an unexpected helping hand, sending a hefty sum of seventeen thousand gold coins, all the money he had. His actions at the time had risked irking the King, but in truth, his sending seventeen thousand gold coins wouldn't change the grand scheme of things. The fact that a member of the royal family had helped the Count’s Estate also saved face for the entire royal clan, so the King did not pursue the matter with the Fifth Prince.
However, Shen Lang had then produced eight hundred thousand gold coins in one fell swoop, slamming them down on the Hidden Yuan Society and stunning the world. The King was furious that the outcome was so different from what he had expected. But since he couldn't direct that anger at the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, it fell squarely on the Fifth Prince Ning Zheng.
“Ning Zheng, you are quite cunning. Were you in league with the Count of Xuanwu's Estate all along?”
Gossip was rampant in the capital, with many mocking Ning Zheng.
“Everyone said Fifth Prince Ning Zheng had an eccentric personality but was simple and honest. It turns out he’s quite cunning and scheming. He must have known the Count of Xuanwu's Estate would prosper and hypocritically sent seventeen thousand gold coins to win their favor. His ambitions must not be small.”
Ning Zheng’s act of kindness had entangled him in the conflict between the Count’s Estate and the King, and he had been suffering greatly of late. Being mocked and ridiculed by others was one thing, but earning the King’s suspicion was a serious matter. The King had summoned and reprimanded him several times, and forced him to kneel in punishment on multiple occasions. Once, over a trivial, baseless matter, he had even issued an edict to have a pillar of the Fifth Prince’s residence removed as a warning.
At a time like this, Ning Zheng should have immediately drawn a line with the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to prove his innocence. But then he heard that the King had issued an edict to have Jin Mucong study at the Imperial Academy—a clear move to take him as a hostage. Ning Zheng should not have gotten involved, but he did. It was he who had suggested sending Jin Mucong to the Imperial Academy to save the Jin clan’s sole heir, so he felt he had to see to Jin Mucong’s safety until the end. Avoid any actions that might arouse suspicion? Of course that was important, but he didn’t want to.
After hearing Shen Lang’s words, the old eunuch spoke.
“My master has no ambitions, nor does he seek anything. He is used to being treated coldly, so he is fine.”
Shen Lang bowed to him.
“Please thank His Highness for me. When I go to the capital later, I will be sure to visit him and pay my respects in person.”
“You are too kind.”
Then, the old eunuch looked as if he wanted to say something more but hesitated.
“Elder, if you have something to say, please speak freely.”
“The tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not cease. Goldfall Island is now being battered by fierce winds and waves. Please tell the Count of Xuanwu to be careful.”
“Is someone in the capital stirring up trouble over Goldfall Island?”
“It’s not just one group, but numerous factions coveting the gold mine on Goldfall Island. They have sharpened their blades and will soon make their move.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
After daybreak, Jin Mucong set off for the capital under the reluctant gazes of his family. In addition to the dozen warriors sent by the Fifth Prince, the Count of Xuanwu's Estate also sent over twenty of their own. The eunuch who had delivered the King’s edict saw the scene and sneered.
“His Highness the Fifth Prince seems to be a man of great sentiment. But isn’t it a bit late to be lighting the stove when it’s almost time to eat?”
It was a blatant taunt, implying that the Fifth Prince’s intention to ally with a subject to vie for the throne was a move made far too late. Shen Lang, standing beside him, spoke quietly.